Credit score

For many students, going to university for the first time means the start of financial independence. Very few students have the means to fund their studies in cash, and most will rely on student loans, overdrafts, or credit cards. Although this sort of borrowing is often essential and shouldn’t always be taken as negative, it’s important to understand how borrowing…

One of the most commonly held beliefs about credit scoring is that using a credit card is fine, as long as you pay off the bill in full at the end of each month. Many people don’t pay much attention to their credit score, only thinking about it when they are trying to get a loan for a new car…

If you miss or fail to make agreed-upon payments on some sort of debt, you may receive a default notice or “notice of default.” A default is then recorded in your credit file, which can negatively impact your credit rating. If you are then trying to get another form of credit such as a mortgage or loan, or are applying…

Searching for a new job is one of those tasks which can be exciting, frustrating, and demanding of your time and effort. Once you’ve navigated the application and interview, that’s often not the end of the process. Many employers are now conducting pre-employment checks into academic qualifications, references, or employment history. While your credit history is one of the less…

If you have been given a CCJ (County Court Judgment), it could seriously affect your finances for as long as it stays on your credit record. It may make it difficult to get credit, and depending on your job, might even lead to trouble with pre-employment credit checking. CCJs are only given out as a last resort, after you’ve ignored…

One of the main issues affecting people who have recently moved to the UK is difficulties in getting credit cards, loans or even a mobile phone contract due to their lack of credit history. HSBC has become the first British financial institution to check international credit history when newcomers to the UK are applying for credit cards. This could be…

In the UK there are three major credit reference agencies which manage our credit report and credit score. But what exactly is a credit score? Is it the same as a credit report? What qualifies as a good or bad credit score? How do lenders use credit scores when making decisions? And what role does a credit score or credit…

If you have recently applied for a job which involves credit checking, identity verification and other pre-employment checks, it can be a confusing time. Many of us are confused about our credit score or credit report, and concerned about what might be disclosed to our potential employer. Worrying about your credit score can be understandable but ignoring it won’t make…

There’s often a lot of fearmongering about credit history and how much it will impact on your everyday life and future financial choices. This is especially the case when you are facing a credit check as part of pre-employment checking for a new job. Understanding the process and what employers and lenders are looking for should help deal with some…

Very few of us can afford to stroll into a dealer and pay for a new car with cash. Finance agreements are commonplace, and lenders always do a credit check before deciding on your car finance application. The credit report plays a significant role in their decision-making process, along with other checks such as verifying your identity and address. Credit…